When the presenter announced the Academy Award nominees for best foreign language film, I held my breath.I had read glowing reviews and favorable predictions that suggested Israel would finally win for the chilling biopic released just a few weeks ago.And, truthfully, when the Oscar went to Japan, I was livid.Waltz with Bashir tells the story of director Ari Folman’s experiences as a young fighter in the first Lebanon War.The animated documentary follows his attempt to recall the painful events he has blocked out in his memory.The film received immediate international acclaim, and even scooped up the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film as well as a host of awards abroad, in countries including Britain and France.If Israel was not slated to win, France’s The Class was next in line; Japan swooped in, though, with a shocking win for Departures, a movie about a cellist.“I saw the Israeli movie which I honestly had thought would win as it was wonderful,” Japanese director Masahiro Motoki told reporters. Better luck next year, Israel!